Device for lowering bodies.



v 1,219,5so-

JULIO C. BERNALES, Oi LIMA, PERU.

DEVICE FOR LOWERING BODIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 20, 191?.

Application filed June 5, 1916. Serial No. 101,693.

This mventlon relates to devicesfor lowering bodies.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction by means ofwhich, bodies of different weight may be lowered at approximately thesame,tliat is to say a safe, speed; which will automatically. adjustitself to the varying weight of bodies lowered which will automaticallyrewind a flexible member after a body has been lowered and released;

and, which is simple and compact and portable to the extent that itforms no permanent part of a building other than being suspendedtherefrom. A further object is to provide a suspending element whichwill effect a regulation'of the speed of opera tion of the device andwhich may be adjusted to meet variation of weight applied to theapparatus.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangementof parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed. In theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this application, is illustrateda form of embodiment of the invention, in which drawing similarreference characters designate corresponding parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, certain parts being removed and brokenaway to show interior constructions; and,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a tubular-frame, preferablyrectangular in form. On two sides'of the frame 1 are fixed T-couplings 2ser *ing as rigid supports for the ends of the transverse axle 3. Drumframe members 1 have their ends extending radially from the axle 3 andare rotatably secured thereto as by means of hubs 5. Gross pieces 6connect the outer ends of the drum frame members 11 and are adapted toreceive a drum 7 upon which may be wound a flexible member 8, one end ofwhich is secured t0 the drum.

Rotatably disposed upon the lower transverse member of the frame 1 is anidler guide 9, so arranged as to receive the flexible member 8, andslidably arranged. on the frame member so that under the tension of thecoiled spring 10 the idler will follow the flexible, member 8 and coilthe same evenly upon the .drum 7 when the flexible member is rewound' ashereinafter described. The initial. movement of the drum is given bymeans of a weight secured in. any suitable way to the lower end of theflexible member 8, so as to produce a tension upon coiled springs 11disposed around the axle and having one of their ends secured thereto bymeans of the hub 12. The opposite ends of the springs are secured in anyiitable way to the frame-work of the drum 7. Vhen the weight is releasedfrom the flexible member 8 the tension produced on the springs by thedescent of abody will exert suflicient force. to rewind the flexiblemember upon the drum 7.

' Secured to one of the hubs 5, preferably the one on the left hand sideof the device, is a ratchet 15, disposed beneath and in contact with apawl 1 1 which is pivoted to a gear 15 loosely mounted on the axle 3.Therefore, rotationof the drum 7 will cause rotation of the gear 15,which is disposed to mesh with a pinion 16 carried on a shaft 17 whichprojects through the frame 1. A casing 18 is interposed in the frame 1so as to receive the shaft 17 and disposed in the asing 18 is anysuitable form of rotary pump 19. A body of suitable liquid is disposedin the frame member 1 so that rotation of the gear 15 caused by thedescent of a body secured to the flexible member 8, will cause rotationof the pump and consequent pressure of the fluid contained in the frame1, so that a circulation thereof is produced in the frame.

Interposed in the top horizontal member of the frame 1 is a 1-waycoupling 20 in which is disposed a gate valve 21 having a stem whichprojects above and below the coupling. The upper end of the stem of thevalve 21 is provided with an opening 22, or other suitable form ofsuspending device, so that the apparatus may be hung upon a suitableprojecting part of a building. The lower end of the stem of the valve 21has secured thereon a nut 23 which may be adjusted thereon andinterposed between the constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable nutand the lower face of the coupling Q-O-is coiled spring 24.

The tension of the spring 24 normally maintains the gate valve open.Upon a weight being applied to the flexible member 8 the tension of thespring 2-1 is overcome by the weight and the valve more or less closed,thus offering a resistance to the circulation set up in the frame memberin the direction of the arrow 25 and this resistance is transmitted backthrough the shaft 17, pinion 16, gear 15, pawl lff, and ratchet 13,acting as a brake upon the rotation of the drum 7, in proportion to theweight secured to the flexible member 8, it being understood that aheavier weight will more completely overcome the tension of the spring24 than a lesser Weight, and therefore more completely close the valve21 and offer greater resistance to the circulation in the frame 1.

In the form shown the device is more particularly designed for use as afire-escape, but may be used in connection with the lowering of largerbodies such as elevators and similar devices, in which case it mightmore properly be termed a safety device.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame,

carrying member rotatably supported by the frame, a pressure producingelement carried by the frame and arranged to be operated by the cablecarrying member and to circulate the fluid body and means for varyingthe pressure of the pressure producing element in proportion to weightsdisposed on the cable.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame, constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable carryingmember rotatably supported by the frame, a pressure producing elementcarried by the frame and arranged to be operated by the cable carryingmember and to circulate the fluid body, and means interposed on theframe for varying the pressure of the pressure producing means.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising,atubular frame, constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable carryingmember rotatably supported by the frame, a pressure producing elementcarried by the frame and arranged to be operated by the cable carryingmember and to circulate the fluid body, and adjustable means for varyingthe pressure of the pressure producing element.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable carryingmember rotatably supported by the frame, a cable on the cable carryingmember,

a pump interposed in the frame and arranged to be operated by rotationvof the cable carrying member and to circulate the fluid body, and avalve interposed in the frame and constructed to form a suspendingelement for the device.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable carryingmember rotatably supported by the frame, a cable on the cable carryingmember, a pump interposed in the frame and arranged to be operated byrotation of the cable carrying member and to circulate the fluid body, avalve interposed in the frame and constructed to form a suspendingelement for the device, and a resilient member arranged to normallymaintain the valve open.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable carryingmember rotatably supported by the frame, a cable on the cable carryingmember, a pump interposed in the frame and arranged to be operated byrotation of the cable carrying member and to circulate the fluid body, avalve interposed in the frame and constructed to form a suspendingelement for the device, a resilient member arranged to normally maintainthe valve open and means for varying the pressure of the resilientmember.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable carryingmember rotatably supported by the frame, a cable on the cable carryingmember, a pump interposed in the frame and arranged to be operatedby'rotation of the cable carrying member and to circulate the fluidbody, a four way coupling interposed on the frame, a gate valve disposedin the coupling and provided with a projecting .stem formed into asuspending device and means for producing a variable pressure on thevalve.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame constructed to contain a fluid body, a cable carryingmember rotatably supported by the frame, a cable on the cable carryingmember, a pump interposed in the frame and arranged to be operated byrotation of the cable carrying member and to circulate the fluid body, afour way coupling interposed on the frame, a gate valve disposed in thecoupling and provided with a projecting stem formed into a suspendingdevice, a spring disposed on the opposite end of the stem between itsend and the coupling and a nut disposed on the stem and arranged to bearon the spring.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising, atubular frame,

frame, means for rotating the pump by r0ta- 5 tion of the cable carryingelement and to circulate the fluid body, a cable on the cable carryingelement, means for rewinding the cable when unwound, and a suspendingelev ment interposed on the frame and constructed to vary the pressureproduced by 10 rotation of the pump in proportion to the weight disposedon the cable.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JULIO C. BERNALES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G. a

